The New England Patriots have played two games versus NFC South teams so far, winning both by a combined score of 67-32. In order to make it 3-0 against the division, they will have to beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

An up-and-down team so far this season, the Falcons have played some good football even though inconsistency has hurt them. Nonetheless, even at 3-4 they are no pushovers as a look at their core info shows.

Falcons key stats

Playing in a division that has had its issues in the past few years, the Falcons seemed like a...

In a way, the Atlanta Falcons are quite familiar to New England Patriots fans across the globe; the two clubs’ meeting in Super Bowl LI remains one of the defining games in recent NFL history. That said, given that they are playing in two different conferences they are only regularly scheduled to meet every so often.

This is one of those years: for the first time since 2021, the Patriots and Falcons will go at each other again. So, to find out more about the Patriots’ Week 9 opponent, we reached out to Jeanna Kelley of Pats Pulpit’s sister site...

Given that Spooky Season is in full swing, we decided to add some Halloween flavor to this week’s New England Patriots fan debate. Because just like everybody has a favorite horror movie, there are probably dozens of different answers to our question about…

Who is the scariest Patriots player of all time?

First a look at our staff debate, and then it’s on to your answers.

Pat Lane: Besides Aaron Hernandez?

Bernd Buchmasser: Should have added “(who did not murder people)” to the question.

Matthew Rewinski: It’s Rodney Harrison for me. One of his Chargers teammates said it best...

Drake Maye has elevated his performance this season, and linebacker Robert Spillane praised Maye for developing into a strong leader.

“Confidence, leadership, swag, he walks around with a lot of swag,” Spillane said on Thursday during NFL Network’s “The Insiders”, via Carlos A. Lopez. “A guy that people really gravitate towards. He has control of the locker room. Guys respect him, and he does not take that lightly.”

Maye is currently in his second NFL season, and he’s playing like a seasoned veteran. Over eight games, Maye has thrown for 2,026 yards, racked up 15 touchdowns, and committed only three...

The New England Patriots don’t have many weaknesses on their roster, but Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi believes the pass rush could use some help.

“Consistent pass rush is the biggest weakness,” Giardi said Friday on “WEEI Afternoons.” “Some of the guys have decent individual numbers — look at some of the pressures and things of that nature. Still, as much as I like the way the interior has played, even not just the two big guys (Milton Williams and Christian Barmore), but then Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farme and even Cory Durden.

“I think Mike (Vrabel) even pushed at this...

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel announced on Friday that running back Rhamondre Stevenson will miss Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a toe injury.

With Stevenson out, it’s now time for rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson to step up.

Henderson’s season has been quite a rollercoaster ride. However, he truly shone last week, rushing 10 times for 75 yards against the Cleveland Browns. His performance earned him praise from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

“I don’t think it’s a secret that he’s fast and he does some really good things with the ball,” McDaniels said on Thursday....

Welcome to the Patriots Prospect Preview, our annual series where we talk about the club’s future picks before literally anyone else! It’s time to narrow down our focus for Week 10.

The Patriots’ needs have come into focus as we sit just days away from the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline — which will strike at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

New England seems pretty content with its options at running back, though. Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden didn’t seem to mind pulling from their depth at safety and outside linebacker, either. It’s almost as if they feel pretty...

Mike Vrabel offered high praise for a Week 9 opponent, even if the compliment didn’t land with all of his New England Patriots players.

The head coach had three scout team players wear No. 7 to prepare for Bijan Robinson. Asked about those efforts on Friday, Vrabel likened the Atlanta Falcons running back to a Hall of Famer.

However, he doesn’t think all of his younger players understood the reference.

“Obviously, Bijan is a focal point for what they’re going to do,” Vrabel said. “He’s an excellent player, fantastic player. I compared him to Marshall Faulk. I got some eyebrows...

The New England Patriots have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to fortify their roster with a midseason trade. An analyst suggested they contact Mike Vrabel’s former team about a defensive upgrade.

Numerous reports have linked the Patriots to edge rushers before the trade deadline. NFL.com’s Kevin Patra highlighted a possible target when identifying Tennessee Titans linebacker Dre’Mont Jones as New England’s best fit.

“Jones has been productive of late — even with Jeffery Simmons out of the lineup — recording a sack in three straight games and 10 of his 17 QB pressures in that span,” Patra wrote. “The...

The Patriots are looking to extend their winning streak to six games as they take on the Falcons this Sunday. However, New England will need to step up their game, as Atlanta is welcoming back a key player.

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who missed last week’s game due to a knee injury, has been removed from the injury report and is expected to start against New England.

Penix has thrown for 1,409 yards and five touchdowns to three interceptions in six games this season.

Patriots fans should remember Penix’s name well, as he was one of the quarterbacks New...

The New England Patriots will be down Rhamondre Stevenson against the Atlanta Falcons.

The starting running back remained a non-participant for three consecutive practices due to a toe injury. He has since been ruled out, as Mike Vrabel announced during his final press conference of the week.

“Everybody else doesn’t have a designation,” the head coach said.

Here’s the rest of the game statuses for Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium.

OUT

Patriots

• RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe)

Falcons

• WR Casey Washington (back)
• OT Storm Norton (foot — IR return)
• DE Zach...

One of the New England Patriots’ AFC East rivals made a massive change on Friday.

The Miami Dolphins announced that Chris Grier is out as general manager. Champ Kelly will finish the 2025 season as Miami’s interim GM.

“This morning, I made the decision along with general manager Chris Grier to mutually part ways,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. “I have incredible respect for Chris and his family, and I want to thank him for his many contributions to the Miami Dolphins over the past 26 years.

“As I assessed the state of the team and in...